The History of Pakistan - (Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations (Hardcover)) by Iftikhar H Malik (Hardcover)

About the Book

The History of Pakistan explores the rich and intricate past of a highly diverse nation still in the process of determining its own identity. Rooted in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, shaped by the cultures of both the Middle and Far East, and now predominantly devoted to Islam, Pakistan has emerged as a unique Indo-Muslim community, viewed with caution and curiosity by the rest of the world. In this latest volume of Greenwood's History of Modern Nations series, readers discover the foundations of modern Pakistan, from its earliest empires and shared history with India to the coming of Islam and its successful fight for independence in 1947. This highly informative guide also examines the key issues and attitudes guiding Pakistan today: their volatile feud with India over the region of Kashmir and the right to nuclear development, internal debates over the role of Islam in Pakistani society, and the unbreakable dominance of the military in political affairs. Poised between a radically changing India and the politically unstable Middle East, Pakistan is an important nation to understand as it determines its course in rapidly a changing world.

Book Synopsis

The History of Pakistan explores the rich and intricate past of a highly diverse nation still in the process of determining its own identity. Rooted in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, shaped by the cultures of both the Middle and Far East, and now predominantly devoted to Islam, Pakistan has emerged as a unique Indo-Muslim community, viewed with caution and curiosity by the rest of the world. In this latest volume of Greenwood's History of Modern Nations series, readers discover the foundations of modern Pakistan, from its earliest empires and shared history with India to the coming of Islam and its successful fight for independence in 1947. This highly informative guide also examines the key issues and attitudes guiding Pakistan today: their volatile feud with India over the region of Kashmir and the right to nuclear development, internal debates over the role of Islam in Pakistani society, and the unbreakable dominance of the military in political affairs. Poised between a radically changing India and the politically unstable Middle East, Pakistan is an important nation to understand as it determines its course in rapidly a changing world.

Review Quotes

"Joining others in the Greenwood Histories of Modern Nations is a fine survey of Pakistan's evolution and development, from its early influence in Indo-Islamic culture to its establishment as a separate state. Included in the history are notes on political interactions within the region, influential individuals, and military confrontations. It's a fine historical introduction for high school or college-level holdings strong in regional country histories." --Midwest Book Review/California Bookwatch

"In this title readers discover the foundations of modern Pakistan, from its earliest empires and shared history with India to the coming of Islam and its successful fight for independence in 1947....The book concludes with a biography section of notable people in Pakistan's history, a glossary of terms and abbreviations, a bibliographic essay, and an index. The book is well written and is appropriate for high school and undergraduate students." --ARBA Online

"This history is easy to read and covers the highlights of a long history. . . This book can be used as an introduction to the history of Pakistan." --Catholic Library World

About the Author

Iftikhar H. Malik, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, is Professor of History at Bath Spa University, England, and is author of Culture and Customs of Pakistan (Greenwood, 2005). Professor Malik lives in Oxford, where he is associated with Wolfson College.